The Syracuse University ice hockey team won its first playoff game in program history when it defeated Niagara, 5-3, in the College Hockey America (CHA) semifinals on Friday evening at City Sports Center. The Orange was led by sophomore Lisa Mullan, who scored two goals and helped break open a tie game to defeat the Purple Eagles.
“It’s a great win for our program getting to this championship game in just our second year,” said head coach Paul Flanagan. “It’s been a great experience so far in the playoffs and we’re ready to take the next step. It was a great game today, I thought Niagara played really hard and took it to us in the third period. We weathered the storm.”
In addition to Mullan’s efforts, freshman Isabel Menard recorded three points on one goal and two assists, while senior blueliner Gabrielle Beaudry was credited with two assists for her fourth consecutive game.
After winning the opening faceoff, Niagara’s Jennifer MacLean opened up the scoring just 16 seconds into the game. Niagara was able to maintain control of the puck for most of the opening minutes until the Orange shifted the momentum and began outshooting the Purple Eagles. Syracuse was nearly held off in the first period, but freshman Holly Carrie-Mattimoe began firing shots at Niagara’s Jenni Bauer, who made two consecutive saves, while Mullan picked up the rebound and scored from the left faceoff circle with just 47 seconds remaining.
Niagara was the first to score in the second period after Mary McKinnon skated through two SU defenders and snapped in the shot from senior goaltender Lucy Schoedel’s left to hold the 2-1 lead just 2:07 in. However, that did that not falter the Orange, who responded less than a minute later when Mullan scored on a power-play to tie things up. SU continued to build its lead after junior forward Stefanie Marty maneuvered her way through a swarm of Purple Eagles. After her first shot was backhanded by a Niagara defenseman, she caught the puck and lifted it above Bauer’s left shoulder to give Syracuse its first lead, 3-2, with 7:54 on the clock.
Less than six minutes later, Niagara attempted the equalizer, but Menard blocked the shot and handed it off to fellow freshman Jessica Sorensen in front of Schoedel. After Sorensen’s shot was saved, sophomore assistant captain Janelle Malcolm picked up the rebound and accounted for SU’s third unanswered goal to make the score 4-2 at the second intermission.
Niagara attempted to play catch-up and came within one, 4-3, after Schoedel saved a shot by Jennifer MacLean, Jenna Hendrikx picked up the loose puck for her team-leading 14th goal midway through the final period. The Purple Eagles outshot the Orange, 11-3, in the final period and pulled Bauer in the final minute, but could only get one shot off before Menard made the empty-netter from across the ice to seal the 5-3 win.
The Orange will face off against No. 1 Mercyhurst in the championship game on Saturday, March 6 at 5 p.m.